Guangzhou Study Day: the Nanyue King's Tomb and the Archaeologist's Method

This study day is built on one excavation and the method behind it. In 1983 construction work on a Guangzhou hillside broke into a tomb that had lain undisturbed for two thousand years - the burial of Zhao Mo, second king of Nanyue. Rather than remove the contents the museum was built over the excavation, so students walk through the chambers themselves.

The morning establishes method before history: how a tomb is dated, the difference between what excavators found and what has been reconstructed, and why grave goods can matter more than inscriptions. The afternoon turns to inference, working from objects to honest conclusions, and then goes above ground to Yuexiu Hill for the city the kingdom became.

Entrance tickets are payable locally and confirmed in your final quotation. A specialist briefing or a meeting with a museum researcher can be requested in advance and depends on the institution's own approval, not ours.

• The tomb of Zhao Mo, second king of Nanyue, buried in the second century BC
• Found in 1983 and left in place - students walk through the burial chambers themselves
• How a tomb is dated, and what is evidence as opposed to reconstruction
• The earliest jade burial suit sewn with silk thread found in China
• Imported goods that record a kingdom trading across the South China Sea
• Above ground: Yuexiu Hill, the Five Rams and the Ming city wall, as the sequel

• Meals as listed in the daily itinerary (breakfasts and lunches as shown)
• Private air-conditioned vehicle with professional driver throughout
• English-speaking local guide (Spanish, French, German, Italian, Russian or Japanese on request)
• All entrance fees for the sites listed, including shuttle buses, eco-buses and cable cars where the site requires them
• Local handling and coordination service throughout the programme
• Bottled water (2 bottles per person per day) and audio headsets where group size requires them
• Travel accident insurance for the duration of the tour

Entrance tickets for the sites visited on this day are not included in the price shown and are payable locally on the day. Guangzhou entrance charges are modest - most of the sites on this route charge under CNY 30 per person - and your guide handles purchase at each gate. The exact amount is confirmed in your final quotation and added to your invoice at cost.

What this day is. A guided study day for school and university groups, built around archaeological method rather than a sightseeing circuit. It works best for students of history, archaeology or Chinese studies, and the guide will pitch the level to the group.

Practical notes. The burial chambers are low, narrow and reached by steps; the galleries are fully accessible and the day can be built around them if anyone in the group has mobility restrictions. Students should bring something to write on. Tell us the age group and the syllabus you are teaching to when you enquire.

Q: Is this tour private or shared?
A: It is a private tour. Only your own party travels with the guide and vehicle, so the pace and the order of stops can be adjusted on the day.

Q: What is the best season for this itinerary?
A: April to June and September to November bring the mildest weather and clearest light. The programme runs year round, and we adjust the daily timings in mid-summer and winter.

Q: Can you handle dietary requirements and accessibility needs?
A: Yes. Vegetarian, halal, gluten-free and allergy-aware menus are arranged when you tell us in advance. Step-free and low-mobility versions of the route can also be planned.

Q: How do we book and pay?
A: Send us your travel dates and group size for a same-day quotation. A deposit confirms the booking, the balance is due before arrival, and prices are guaranteed for 7 days.